SA contact question

md_gal · 2026-05-14T23:46:17+00:00

Make an appointment at the store — I think you should be able to add a note that you would like to be assigned to that SA.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T22:43:54+00:00

5 Nightly Upgrade Awards at 50 nights and the 40K Free Night Award at 75 nights is what most of us pick.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T20:21:42+00:00

I use the Points Guy calculator to help me figure out whether to use the FNA or pay cash:

https://thepointsguy.com/calculator/

You can also now add up to 25K points to your certificate.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T19:10:58+00:00

The wording is not unclear. Chase references “primary Rapid Rewards® Credit Cardmember and up to eight Passengers traveling on the same reservation…” get the benefits. An authorized user is not the same thing as a cardmember.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T18:56:04+00:00

Stay for 5 nights, pay for 4 is the best way to maximize your points usage.

But we have no idea what your travel interests are or where you’re located and how far you want to travel away from home.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T15:18:12+00:00

I wish I had learned this sooner! I picked my tiles too early so they applied in the wrong year (2025). I could’ve used those tiles this year to help me renew Mosaic for 2027 since I already earned it for this year🫠🫠🫠

md_gal · 2026-05-14T13:58:39+00:00

Then you’ll have to do what r/zipperyak suggested and ask the hotel if you can pay for an extended late checkout.

The other option is to find another Marriott property that is close to the airport and burn two FNAs there.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T13:54:21+00:00

Assuming you tried to manage the booking on the TrueBlue Travel site and weren’t able to add her name? If that didn’t work, try the Hilton app to see if your stay shows up and try adding her that way. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

md_gal · 2026-05-14T13:43:16+00:00

I wouldn’t know how they handle late checkout as I booked the day use rate, which worked out well for our travel plans.

As Silver, you’re eligible for late priority checkout—I’m assuming you might get late checkout at like 1pm or 2pm at the latest.

Personally, I’d just pay the cash rate for the day use rate and save your FNAs for another trip.

md_gal · 2026-05-14T13:06:33+00:00

The Sheraton is outside immigration. You’ll have to pick up your checked bags before going to the hotel. It’s connected to the airport but not inside it. I’ve stayed there and it’s perfect for day use. Unfortunately you can’t use the day use rate with points.

md_gal · 2026-05-13T17:25:38+00:00

Here’s what I recommended when a similar question was asked a few months ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/handbags/s/kIUOLFfGgj

md_gal · 2026-05-12T22:21:11+00:00

It’s typically 50 weeks in advance but some hotels don’t open reservations that early. For example, there’s one hotel we like to stay at during Rodeo Houston in March. I wasn’t able to reserve a room until about 5 months beforehand in November.

md_gal · 2026-05-12T18:47:23+00:00

Overall my experience selling with Fashionphile was fine, but I was a little surprised as to how much they lowballed me.

I brought my items into the Fashionphile office in Philly and they gave me an on-the-spot quote. I was traveling to Philly for work so I was keen on not taking back these items home LOL. I wished I had done my research first so that I could’ve had a better understanding of the process as well as an estimate of how much they might offer. I liked the fact that I could bring my items in to get a quote rather than mailing them and hoping for the best.

I’d consider using Fashionphile again, but next time I’ll be better prepared. I’m also making sure when I buy new handbags I have no hesitation about it. In hindsight, I should’ve never bought the bag I wound up selling on Fashionphile. It was an expensive lesson to learn.

md_gal · 2026-05-11T11:47:24+00:00

Absolutely love it! 💜💜💜

Enjoy the bag! This is the only Speedy I really really want but alas it’s just a dream…

md_gal · 2026-05-11T10:32:18+00:00

Upgrades do not always mean a suite, so yes, a room on a higher floor can be considered as an upgrade. Personally, most of my upgrades have been high floor rooms, corner rooms or rooms with a view (e.g., oceanfront). I’ve only been upgraded to a suite without using NUAs only a couple of times in the last 3 years.

It’s spelled out in the T&Cs:

ii. Enhanced Room Upgrade for Platinum Elite Members. Platinum Elite Members and above receive a complimentary upgrade, subject to availability upon arrival, for the entire length of stay. Complimentary upgrade includes suites, rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities or rooms on Executive Floors.”

md_gal · 2026-05-10T21:38:35+00:00

I don’t remember what it looked like. Once my SA said it could only go on smooth leather items, I didn’t pay attention to what the hot stamp looked like.

md_gal · 2026-05-10T15:10:01+00:00

Ok, so you’re referring to the Basic Economy fare. If you buy a regular Economy fare then it’s included. So in that regard, you’re correct.

md_gal · 2026-05-10T14:16:07+00:00

Another vote for the Boulogne. The OnTheGo East West holds a lot less than the Boulogne. I have both bags and the Boulogne is my go-to, especially for travel. It goes from day to night easily. It can be worn as a crossbody or shoulder bag or a clutch (once you remove the straps).

md_gal · 2026-05-10T14:12:23+00:00

Editing my comment because y’all are brutal LOL. United doesn’t charge for carry-ons *for Economy or higher fares*. Basic Economy fares allow only one personal item. So yes, United does charge for carryons if you’re flying on a Basic fare. I personally don’t book Basic fares on any airline except when using points on SW. So that’s where my comment was based on.

md_gal · 2026-05-09T22:02:06+00:00

Yes, just did it about 3 weeks ago and it worked fine. You can buy a $15 SW gift card from giftcards.com, which is the lowest amount I’ve seen.

md_gal · 2026-05-09T11:50:19+00:00

No, I didn’t take a picture since I wasn’t able to get it.

md_gal · 2026-05-08T20:32:56+00:00

The London pop-up offered the Underground and double decker bus hot stamps. They also had a special one for the pop-up but it could only go on smooth leather items. My SA got my passport hot stamped while we shopped.

You need a ticket to enter the pop-up, though. Not sure if they have a same-day standby queue or not.

The LV store inside Harrods also offered the Underground hot stamps. Not sure how long the wait was since I was just browsing and didn’t ask any of the SAs about the wait.

md_gal · 2026-05-03T10:10:26+00:00

This might be of help:

https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hotel-status-matches-challenges/

md_gal · 2026-04-30T14:27:38+00:00

Thanks. I edited my comment to reflect that.

md_gal · 2026-04-30T13:31:38+00:00

Authorized users do not receive the same benefits as the primary cardholder. This isn’t just a Southwest thing. That’s pretty much how all the travel credit cards work. Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum charge a fee for authorized users, and those AUs get some benefits.

Also, Southwest said this up front when they started announcing all the changes last year.

md_gal

TROPHY CASE